PSYC18H3 Chapter Notes - Chapter 2: Exaptation
Document Summary
Elements of an evolutionary approach: charles darwin described evolution in terms of three processes, superabundance: animals and plants produce more offspring that are necessary merely to reproduce themselves, variation: each offspring is somewhat different than others, and differences are passed on by heredity, selection: rhose characteristics that allow better adaptation to the environment are selected because they enable survival, and hence are passed on. Many systems developed in response to these pressures (e. g. fight flight e. g. survival food, water, shelter, avoid disease and preditation. system, thermoregulatpry sustems, preference for sweet foods and aversion to bitter foods: what darwin knew nothing about genes are passed through reproduction to the next generation and to the next. Natural design for gene replication: evolutionary approach would suggest that emotions are adaptations that help humans meet selection pressures, genes help build the physiological and anatomical system that are engaged in emotion, modern evolutionary genetics: our genes pass themselves on to the next generation.
